The dream of Lasameños to have a bigger and better activity center that caters to the various cultural, educational, sports, recreational, and other events of the Municipality, has come to reality. 

On the second day of Tinupig Festival 2023 last June 8, 2023, Cagayan Second District Representative Baby Aline Vargas Alfonso, as Guest of Honor, together with Mayor Dante Dexter A. Agatep, and Vice Mayor Randy C. Cambe, cut the ribbon to formally open the Natalged a Lasam Arena located at the Lasam Town Center in Centro 1, Lasam.

As a licensed Civil Engineer, Mayor Agatep himself collaborated with Municipal Planning and Development Architect Rodel T. Urian, EnP, and Elmer B. Addun Jr., Municipal Engineer, for the architectural and structural design of the Arena.

In her speech during the Opening Program, Congressw. Vargas Alfonso pledged PhP 15 million for the completion of the Lasam Arena. The Representative said: “to help LGU-Lasam with the finishing touches of the Arena, I am allocating that amount which may finance flooring that is fit for professional basketball, or other things for the Arena to be more comfortable to be in.”

When it was his turn to address the audience at the Arena and on Facebook, Mayor Agatep profusedly extended his gratitude to Congw. Vargas Alfonso and all Lasameños who participated in the Grand Parade. He ran out of words because, “it seemed like angels had descended from heaven to make things go according to plan,” the Mayor said in Ilocano.

The Inauguration was witnessed by the LGU-Lasam officials, guests, and the rest of Lasameños who could not be there via Facebook Live. The Arena was full to the brim after the contingents of barangays, civic organizations, schools, and other sectoral groups converged in the new peoples’ activity center after the Grand Parade for the Opening of the Tinupig Festival 2023. 

The Opening Program was followed by contested activities such as the Drum and Lyre Exhibition and Folk Dance Competition.

By way of an audio message, the Tinupig Festival Opening was also graced by Sen. Imee R. Marcos, as she could not attend in person. “Naragsak a Fiesta ken 73rd Aldaw ti Lasam,” greeted the senator. #

With reporting from Diana Rose C. Agatep; photos by Jurado Digital Studios & A. Ursua